“She is not rude or cruel—rather, she is probably the kindest woman of my acquaintance. Her impertinence is a part of her charm. How can you, of all people, fail to appreciate her liveliness, her sense of humor, and her cleverness?”
“Oh, I most certainly do. No, no, make no mistake. Your Mrs. Bingley is quite fetching.”
I eyed him suspiciously. “But?”
He crossed his feet and then crossed them the other way. “Darcy, you do not need me to tell you how she will be received in Society.”
“No, but I rather thought you would be telling me that it mattered only to my own vanity. That the rest of the world could go hang, for I never cared to claw my way to the top of the social heap. Georgiana’s dowry is sufficient to attract plentyof gentlemen from which to choose. The earl and countess will be disappointed but not devastated, and Lady Catherine will be displeased no matter what woman I marry, for it will not be her daughter.”
“So, why do you need me? It sounds as if you have it all worked out.”
“What are you not telling me, Richard?”
He frowned and lifted his brows. “I only hope she will make you happy.”
“Well, that is just the trouble. I cannot seem to sort…”
“How you feel about her, or the reverse?”
“Both.” I sighed and got to my feet, then began to pace. “She is... she is... Well, I... When I am with her, I...” I turned around, my hand suspended in the air and my mouth hanging stupidly. I could not think how to form the words.
“She thrills you. Terrifies you and excites you and makes you feel things you never knew you could feel.”
“Yes,” I breathed. “Yes, that is it exactly. How did you know?”
“It is all over your face, even now. Honestly, Darcy, I have never seen you like this. You are out of your head over the woman, and you are looking for permission to do something about it.”
“I do not need your permission,” I scoffed.
“No, you need your own. If you are determined to have her, if you think she will please you, then do as you like.”
I resumed my seat and crouched forward. “You do not seem as encouraging as I expected. What misgivings have you not told me?”
“Misgivings? I would not use such a strong word. You must marry someone eventually, and it may as well be a woman you find attractive. Goodness knows how many marriages are pure business, so you should count yourself fortunate that in this case, one of you, at least, knows what it is to love.”
I blinked. “Do you mean she does not appear to care for me?”
“Oh, I think she does, but whether it is a particular kind of attachment is impossible for me to say. Indeed, she teases and flirts with you, but from what I can see, that is simply her way. Is she any different with other men of her acquaintance?”
“Naturally! She is not immodest. Nor does she have a desperate need to marry again. I have never seen her show particular regard to anyone else.”
“And what about me?” He puckered his lips and raised a brow.
“You are always a favorite with the ladies. Of course she likes you.”A little too well, perhaps, judging by those musical performances.
“Darcy, I have been watching her carefully, and to be quite honest, I see very little difference in the ways she behaves with you versus me.”
This statement hit my stomach like a stone. Or a death knell. I was spiraling, grasping at contradictions—anything, to prove him wrong. “That is absurd. You were flirting with her, as well! What was she to do, ignore you? Besides, it would be only natural for her to wish to make a good impression on my family.”
“Ah, yes. I had a pretty friendly chat with her this afternoon.”
“And?”
“Oh, she told me all manner of things about the people hereabouts. Colonel Forster, her uncle Philips, her sister’s cat and her father’s book room and how her cousin Collins tried to offer for every sister in the Bennet family, on down the line, until he ran out of Bennets and had to apply to a Miss Lucas. Ah, and she thinks you are too proud for your own good.”
Fire sickened my insides, and cold sweat beaded my brow. “She… she did not say that.”
“My life on it, she did. She’s right, of course, but no man likes to think his lady feels that about him.”
